many. each day brings further evidence that the ways weuseenergystrengthenour adversaries and threaten our planet. these are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. less measurable, but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land. a nagging fear that america owes the decline is inevitable, but the next generation must lower its sights. today i say to you that the challenges we face are real. they are serious and they are many. they will not be met easily or in a short span of time, that know this, america -- they will be met. [cheers and applause] on this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of her pace over conflict and discord. on this day we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that far too long have strangled our politics. we remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. that time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit. to choose our better history, to carry forward that righteous gift,